Ralph Lauren quietly shuttered its two-year-old 20,000-square-foot store last week. Other brands are expected to close boutiques in a city that has lost its luster for cash-rich mainland Chinese tourists.

FIRST FAN: First Lady Michelle Obama appears to be one of Reed Krakoff’s most steadfast fans, having chosen one of his dresses for her official 2013 White House portrait. Photographer Doug Kennedy captured her in the Green Room seated and looking relaxed in a navy silk and wool dress by the designer with three-quarter length sleeves. The customized dress marks the third time in a month FLOTUS has opted for Reed Krakoff for a significant photo-op.

She also wore one of his frocks with a cashmere sweater to President Obama’s official swearing-in ceremony Jan. 20 and broke out the sweater again the following day for a luncheon at the Capitol. The First Lady also wore Reed Krakoff customized boots to walk in the inaugural parade on Jan. 21.

This year’s more refined look is a bit of a departure from her official portrait four years ago, when she was photographed standing in a sleeveless black Michael Kors dress that accentuated her much-talked-about well-toned arms. And instead of wearing a double strand of pearls, this time around the First Lady opted for one. Another marked difference is what she described to Racheal (folo) Ray as her “midlife crisis” bangs, which were first shown before last month’s inaugural.

A Reed Krakoff spokesman declined to comment Thursday about the process or exchange between his atelier and the First Lady’s office (as was the case with all things inaugural.) Both parties are believed to have worked closely on the customized dress for the Feb. 12 photo shoot, according to a source familiar with the arrangement.

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@rebeccaminkoff is bringing self-checkout to high fashion: The brand has partnered with @queuehop to bring its customers self-checkout options, beginning this holiday season at its SoHo store. (📷: @aurorarosephoto)